HB 1288 -- Large Carnivore Act

Sponsor:  Sutherland

This bill establishes the Large Carnivore Act which prohibits,
beginning January 1, 2012, any person from owning or possessing,
breeding, transferring ownership or possession, or transporting a
large carnivore unless he or she has a permit.  "Large carnivore"
is defined as any cat of the Felidae family that is nonnative to
this state held in captivity excluding any common domestic or
house cat or any species of bear that is nonnative to this state
and held in captivity.  The Division of Animal Health within the
Department of Agriculture is required to implement and enforce
the provisions of the bill and to identify and register a list of
available qualified veterinarians who have applied and been
approved to be included in the registry.  Approved veterinarians
must demonstrate experience in handling, anesthetizing, and
managing husbandry and medical and surgical issues regarding
nondomestic, exotic, and superexotic species.  Certain
requirements regarding the care and control of a large carnivore
will be verified and affirmed by a qualified veterinarian by
sworn affidavit on a form provided by the department at intervals
established by the department.  The department may, as necessary
or upon complaint, verify the veterinarian's findings.  Any
qualified veterinarian who submits a false affidavit will be
guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

Any person who owns or possesses a large carnivore is liable in a
civil action for the death or injury of a human or another animal
and for any property damage caused by the large carnivore.  If a
large carnivore escapes or is released, intentionally or
unintentionally, the owner is required to immediately notify law
enforcement and is liable for all expenses associated with the
efforts to recapture the large carnivore.  The owner is required
to maintain liability insurance in an amount of not less than
$250,000 and annually provide verification to the department.
Applications for a permit are to be accompanied by a fee not to
exceed $2,500 for each large carnivore with an annual renewal fee
not to exceed $500 as established by the department to offset the
costs to enforce the provisions of the bill.

Requirements for the confinement, handling, sanitation, feeding,
transporting, identification, veterinary care, seizure, and
euthanasia of large carnivores are specified.  The requirements
are in addition to any applicable state or federal law and do not
preclude any local political subdivision from adopting more
restrictive laws.  Certain entities, law enforcement officers,
animal control officers, veterinarians, and department employees
are exempt from the provisions of the bill.

Any person violating the provisions of the bill will be guilty of
a class A misdemeanor.  Any person who intentionally releases a
large carnivore will be guilty of a class D felony.  Violators
may be required to do community service work or lose the
privilege of owning any animal.

Missouri House of Representatives
95th General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated September 14, 2010 at 3:10 pm